If I had to describe The King’s Cadets and Little Joe in one word it would be delight. This short chapter book invites early readers into the world of Little Pilgrim’s Progress, which has been so delightful brought to life by Joe Sutphin. This book of new tales, co-authored by illustrator Joe Sutphin and Kevan Chandler, features five new stories. Readers new to this world can enjoy them just as easily as those already familiar with this world.
The Stories
Each tale, prefaced by a scripture verse, explores The Land of Delight and surrounding areas through the eyes of two young cadets and their brother, Little Joe, a cadet-in-training. Each tale relates a simple situation like finding a gift for a sibling or not being believed when they describe something. Young kids will relate to these stories and characters
Sometimes Little Joe’s brothers think him too young to join on their adventures. But Little Joe is undeterred. He embodies the idea that we must be childlike to enter the kingdom. The older brothers always learn there’s more to Little Joe than they thought.
What I loved
The large text makes this inviting for early readers, though they may still need help with some of the bigger words.
I appreciate that the stories don’t moralize. Each tale loosely connects to the scripture verse that precedes it, but the authors leave the story to do its work on the reader’s heart and mind.
And of course I love the illustrations! Sutphin echoes the art style he used in Little Pilgrim’s Progress but gives it a softer, slightly more cartoonish bent. The overall effect is very inviting.
Christian families looking for sweet chapter books for their early readers will want to add The King’s Cadets and Little Joe to their shelves!
*I received a complementary copy of this book from Moody Publishers. I was not required to review or endorse the book. All opinions are my own.
